" 'Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.'
This ancient proverb expresses the reality
That to live is to experience troubles.
There are no exceptions.

The human spirit is remarkably resilient
As it weathers the ups and downs of life.
Three gifts nourish the spirit along the way:
Quiet courage, patient hope, unshakable trust.
These are the gifts that God
Puts under the tree of life.
Open them carefully one by one,
For they are precious gifts.
God had put them there for you."